Knights grind out road win against Trojans

Trinidad, Colo. – Reece Halley led the Knights with 14 points, while Jada Grigsby chipped in 10 points in an 81-63 win over Trinidad State College on Friday night.

In the victory, the Knights improved to 10-5 on the year, which is their second-best start under head coach Jeff Thurman. Trinidad slips to 0-15 on the year in the loss.

North Platte found their rhythm midway through the first quarter, as a 9-2 run gave the Knights their first lead of the game with 5:51 to play. A three-pointer helped Trinidad briefly reclaim the lead, before another run helped the Knights carry a 19-13 lead into the second quarter.

Trinidad narrowed the margin to 23-21, but North Platte answered with a long run to stretch their lead into double digits on a three by Nariah Golden. Trojans answered with a deep three of their own, but the Knights rallied to take a 35-25 lead into the halftime break.

Defense was big down the stretch of the second half, as the Knights lead grew to 76-50 on a layup by Emily Johnson late in the fourth quarter. Trinidad closed out the game outscoring the Knights 13-5, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

North Platte will return to road action on Saturday against Otero Junior College. Tip is set for 3 p.m. in La Junta, Colo.